Monday, July 29, 2013

There was time, when Sun Certification was very hot and programmer feel proud on being Sun Certified Java professional(SCJP). After Oracle took over Sun in early 2010, it changed names of all the examination from SCJP to OCPJP or OCJP, and now OCA and OCP for Java SE 7. I see there is lot of confusion among certification now days, but essentially they are of the same level at previous SCJP. Since Java gets new language feature with every new release, subsequently a new certification title is introduced. I am not agreed with upgrading your Java certification with every release, it doesn't make much sense to me, but many programmer prefer to get certified and keep it updated. By the way many Java programmers also ask me, whether doing Java certification benefits in Job search or in long term Java programming role, In short, Yes, they do. You can read my response on my post does Java Certification adds value on your career. This post is not about debating Java certification, but about preparing for them. I received lot of emails from my readers, when I wrote my post Top 5 Java Programming books, and they asked me for suggestion on how to excel on OCPJP, books and resource to prepare etc. In this post, we will see couple of good books to prepare for OCA (Oracle Certified Associate) and OCP (Oracle Certified Professional) for Java SE 7 exam. In short you can call it OCPJP 7. Apart from book, you should also use of the exam simulator, preferably from Whizlabs, which I have personally used and liked it. Whizlabs has two exam simulators for Java SE 7 exam, OCAJP 7 exam simulator and OCPJP 7 simulator, they will help you to get familiar with exam patterns and types of questions asked in actual exam.

2 Good Books for OCPJP 7 Java Certification

Following are couple of books for Java SE 7 Certification exams. These books are pretty much standard and everyone follows them, they are also updated to cover exact syllabus of OCA or OCP Java SE 7 exams.

1) OCA and OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide (Exams 1Z0-803 & 1Z0-804) (Certification Press)This book is revised and updated version of Kathy Sieara and Bert Bates best seller SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Exam 310-065. Since things has change, book needs to be updated as well. Books from this author for Java certification is pretty much like text book for OCPJP, as everyone advised about them and almost every one who pass Oracle Java certification follows them. One thing, which is worth noting, If you are not already SCJP or OCJP certified professional and becoming Oracle certified professional first time, then you need to pass two exams to become Oracle Certified Java Professional 7, instead of one.

Thankfully this book covers both exams. As you can see in there title as OCA/OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide (Exams 1Z0-803 & 1Z0-804). If you just want to prepare with one book, this is the one. As per my experience combination of one book + couple of mock tests from Whizlabs and other simulators can be really handy, and it’s much better than preparing through multiple books.

OCA Java SE 7 Programmer I Study Guide (Exam 1Z0-803) (Oracle Press)
This is another Java book, which can be handy to prepare first part of OCJP 7 or Oracle Certified Java Professional 7 exam. Since this book is from Oracle press, you can expect them to follow syllabus and cover things which will be subject of examination. By the way book is currently available on Amazon kindle as well and you can buy it here from Amazon.

2) A Programmer's Guide to OCP Java SE 7 Certification: A Comprehensive Primer (4th Edition)
When I prepared for SCJP, long time back, I followed one book + many exams patterns. Though I followed Java Certification book from Khalid Mughal, It seems this book will cover, what needed for Java SE 7 exam. By the way, this book is still in press and expected to release on November 2013, that's why I put it at the bottom. Khalid Mughal books were quite popular earlier, but seems Kathy Sieara books has been more popular now days. Nevertheless, I expect it to be a good book, given author’s previous record.

Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 7 Programmer Exams 1Z0-804 and 1Z0-805: A Comprehensive OCPJP 7 Certification Guide By S G Ganesh and Tushar Sharma
This is another worth noting book to prepare OCPJP 7 exam. This is the only book available for OCPJP 7 currently in the market, so if you are going to give exam in near time, you only left with this book. I haven't read this book completely but good thing is that it covers all topics and contains 2 mock exams, which gives feel of real exams. The quality of questions in pre-test is also good but better than many online materials. Ganesh and Sharma book is only option right now for giving OCA or OCP Java SE 7 exam.

Lots of things has been changed from original SCJP exams to this OCJP 7 exam, including two exams, but I believe fundamental pattern of exam will remain same. Since there are lot of material available FREE of cost on internet, preparation is not that difficult, but you need to get syllabus right. I also suggest to take relevant mock exams from Whizlabs e.g. OCAJP 7 Exam Simulator and OCPJP 7 simulator contains lots of questions with actual difficulty level. You can also try other simulators, those are really good, they help you to be familiar with exam patterns and types of question asked on actual exam. I have used them in pass and really impressed with quality. Not only giving there test but also learning from there explanation and finding reason, why certain choice is good and others are not.

Java Certification Books for SCJP 6

Some of my readers also ask me books for doing SCJP 6, or better known as OCJP 6 or Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 5/SE 6. Since Java 1.6 is still used a lot in Investment banks and other software companies, there is no harm in doing SCJP 6. Though if you ask me personally, I would probably recommend doing Java Certification for 1.7 version. Anyway, if you are still pursuing SCJP 6, then following books can help you to prepare well.

This is the most respected Java Certification books and lot of programmers has already used this book to clear SCJP 6 with brilliant score. It is highly popular from older days of Sun Certification and one of the most recommended books during SCJP 5. It covers complete topics, presents lots of subtle details and brings on several confusing, interesting Java questions. If you can, read this book two times before setting up for SCJP, it's worth it. Though I prefer to read multiple books to get view from different authors, as some author connects to me more than others, but if you are running short of time and have a goal to become Oracle Certified Java programmer within few months, I think following only one book is enough, provided it cover everything. In short, if you already finalized examination date or purchase exam voucher with limited validity then start with SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Exam.

OCP Java SE 6 Programmer Practice Exams

This SCJP book is also from same authors but it only contains mock question and practice exams. It's a good supplement to earlier book and together the form best study material for SCJP 6. Apart from these two book, you can also read Java language specification, as it's from Oracle itself and it also provides lots of useful information with good examples. If your goal is to score more than 90% marks then you can also try Java Certification simulators from Whizlabs and Enthuware. I have personally used Whizlabs exam simulators for SCJP and found it very useful. There quality of question, pattern are very close to real exam and most wonderful thing about there product is detailed explanation of each question and options. You will not only learn about why a particular option is correct but also why other options are not correct.

Good post. But these books are yet to be released. A book that is available in market for OCPJP7 preparation is "Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 7 Programmer Exams 1Z0-804 and 1Z0-805: A Comprehensive OCPJP 7 Certification Guide" by S G Ganesh and Tushar Sharma: http://www.amazon.com/Certified-Professional-Programmer-1Z0-804-1Z0-805/dp/1430247649

Hi Javin, today, which book you will recommend as best book to prepare for SCJP? I just want to use one book but that must be best which not only cover complete syllabus but also has decent questions, similar to be asked on real exam? I have done some research and found that many programmer's suggest Kathy Siera or Khalid Mughal, but both doesn't attract me.

@Tapan Sharma, OCA stands for Oracle Certified Associates while OCP stands for Oracle Certified Professional. OCA is very basic level exam, while OCP is for Java professionals who are working on real software projects and companies.

Hello Javin, Does OCAJP is must before taking for OCP Java SE 7 exam? I searched for it but still confused as some says it's not mandatory and some says you must take OCA before going for OCP. Please help.

Hello, I have basic knowlwgde of Java so for which certification i go for as i have 1 year of experience..I just moved to USA one month back and wanted to get a good job for that i want to do a certification

Can you please post the link to download FREE PDF version of these books? I am going to appear for the exam in next six month and looking to download ebook or pdf version as soon as possible thanks dude.

hi guys can anyone help me I'm intending to take my 1st exam which is java SE 7 I programmer exam but , I don't have much knowledge to take ! is it possible that I can rely on those books that mentioned above ? or from where should I start ?

I used Mala Gupta's book for 1ZO-803 and i did 2 of the Ethunware tests (i had previous knowledge of Java tho, but no work experience - just university). The book helped me understand a lot and the tests were also useful (although really really hard, much harder than the exam) => passed the first time with 93%. So if you have a basic knowledge already, i recommend the 2.

Hello Aditya, SCJP is no longer available and it's now called OCP or Oracle Java Certification. Latest edition of Oracle Java certification is Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer with code 1Z1-808. This exam is written based upon latest Java 8 release (released on march 18 2014) and cost around 60 USD. Though it's very new, and many developers are still pursuing Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer 1Z0-803, costs around 290 USD. You can buy vouchers from Oracle's website. If you have already passed associate level exam then you can go for Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer, exam code 1Z0-804.